Secrets Revealed

He slowly phased through the door and then turned around to knock on it. He stood there silently in the infirmary to be acknowledged.

"Come in, Kiryuu," he heard a weakened, raspy voice call to him. "Come in."

"Gordon," Kiryuu began. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm—stable," Gordon replied as he saw the hologram walk up to the side of his bed. Kiryuu sat down in the chair beside the bed and cast a concerned glance at his 'creator'. "Kiryuu, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I know—you have some history with King Ghidorah."

"You actually believe that?" Kiryuu asked. "You do believe that I am the original Godzilla brought back to life?"

"I know that you believe it," Gordon said. "And I suppose that's all that matters."

"I—don't know what I believe anymore," he sighed, looking away. "Sometimes, I can't tell who I am. Am I K-I or am I the original Godzilla? I have both memories."

"You are Kiryuu Knight," Gordon breathed. "Don't—let anyone—take that away."

Kiryuu nodded and took in a deep breath. Gordon reached out to him and Kiryuu took his hand into his claw, clasping it tightly as if he was holding onto what future he had left in this chaotic world.

"You—lied to me, Kiryuu," he stated. "You told me that you wouldn't build one. I thought—that I could trust you. I know—why you lie often. You—want to protect me."

Kiryuu glanced away, lowering his head.

"You don't want me to know what you're doing—because you wanted to protect me—and this company," Gordon said. "If—anything happens—you would take—the blame. But—Kiryuu, it doesn't work like that. Because you are—owned by this company—the company will still be blamed for—your mistakes. Though—we see you—as a real person—the world still does—not. But I will fix that."

Kiryuu rose up slowly, staring back at Gordon with even more of a concerned look. Gordon rose a PDA up and winked at him.

"Like—you," he began. "I am quite—capable of spreading information through the web." He slowly began to press some buttons on the PDA and several files fluctuated on the plasma screen. He turned back towards Kiryuu. "Throw—another monkey wrench in—the gears of the world? How—about I just throw you—at them completely."

"Gordon," Kiryuu breathed. "I don't understand why you are doing this."

"If—you are to be the new CEO of the Utah Foundation," Gordon began. "They must know who they are dealing with. No doubt you—will be required to retake the Turing Test. They—would want verifiable proof of your sentiency."

"Gordon…"

"Kiryuu," Gordon began. "I am—doing this because it needs to be done. And it—will stop you from doing anything else that you are capable of doing. Because—the world will be keeping their eyes on you. You'll—be too busy fighting them off to do any other underhanded trick you're capable of doing. You're no longer in the shadows, Kiryuu."

Kiryuu glanced away again.

"I took away the one thing you had—going for you," Gordon said. "I took away your cloak. Now that you are revealed, you'll have a more difficult time in—being conniving. And you'll have the company. You'll have all the resources you'll need to do what you want to do, but you can't do it because people would be watching. You wouldn't want to do anything that will ruin the company."

"So, that's why you're giving it to me," Kiryuu rumbled deeply. "To stop me from being—me."

"You're not the only—one who can be—manipulating and deceitful," Gordon chuckled. "How do you think I started—this company? With honesty?"

"I see," Kiryuu said. "Now, you want me to be honest."

"I want you—to stop dragging this—great company down," said Gordon. "With your constant hacking into places you shouldn't be going into. I know—why you wanted the information on the Oxygen Destroyer. It—wasn't to solve some—damned curiosity about how you died. No, you thought that if a weapon was that powerful enough to destroy the first Godzilla, than it damn sure would be powerful enough to destroy King Ghidorah. That's your logic. I know you Kiryuu—I know how you think."

Kiryuu sighed again and sank down into the chair once more. For the first time he actually felt ashamed for lying so much to Gordon. He leaned his elbows down on his thighs and shook his head with grief. Only the sounds of the heart monitor beeping was heard and each time it beeped it sent a shiver down his spine. He could hear Gordon's shallow breath rasp slightly. Then, he glanced up at Gordon, realizing something.

"Gordon," he began. "If I may ask a question."

"Sure," Gordon said.

"You've had heart problems for a long time," Kiryuu continued. "And the first prosthetic implant that the Utah Foundation ever created through biosyntech back in the 70s was a heart. So, why have you not gotten a biosyntech heart?"

Gordon chuckled weakly: "I promote our products. I really do. We have done such great wonders for people who needed a heart, a liver, arms, legs. We have received emails and letters from our customers, stating how we've helped them, saved their lives—how they appreciate biosyntech. One said that he received his biosyntech kidneys in just a few days where as finding a proper donor would have taken weeks maybe years—and he said because of his new kidneys, he would never have to go on a dialysis machine ever again. He could be free to live his life the fullest without worries. I felt that I have done something wonderful by creating the Utah Foundation. But, then I began to realize my own mortality. I realized that having the ability to replace old, worn-out parts could extend someone's life. And I'm all for that, but not for me. I—want to live the life that God had intended for me. And—if he intends for me to die of a heart attack, than that is what will happen. The thing is, I created a choice as well. If—I don't—want syntech, I don't have—to have syntech. I want—my customers to choose."

Kiryuu nodded.

"Also," Gordon continued. "There has been a fear that has been boiling in my mind—Kiryuu. Seeing you—how we've brought back a dead skeleton back to life—replacing everything with biosyntech, I've began to wonder. I wonder—if we would still—be human if—we all became—like you—completely made out of—syntech. Would—life be valued the same—way? If—a part fails, we could always replace it—with a better—working part? If we found that—the parts we have in our bodies that we were born with, were inferior, would we replace them with—better parts—with syntech parts? That—that is not why I created this company. I—wanted to find a way—to help people in need who truly needed it. Giving a poor little girl who lost her leg a new leg so she could run and play with her friends—and not have to sit on the side in a wheel chair, that's why I built this company. Kiryuu, I did not build this company to create—immortal, cyborg—creatures who think that because their own bodies are inferior—so they replace them with new—and better ones. The—humans are not—cars! We—shouldn't be—like you, Kiryuu. We're—not supposed to live as long as you have."

"Why are you telling me this?" Kiryuu asked.

"I—want you to know my views," said Gordon. "But, I know you won't listen. I know—that sooner or later, you'll turn this company into—something that people—without real needs—could get syntech—to be better than they are. You'll develop the company to where people can replace entire bodies with new cybernetic ones if they wanted to. That—should only be left for people who truly need it—like quadriplegics—or people with cerebral palsy. But—I have a feeling you'd go against my wishes."

"Then why give me the company?" Kiryuu asked.

"Because I know that despite what plans you have," Gordon replied. "There will always be a Utah Foundation that will still be there to help those in need. I know that you'll continue to have the Foundation be the company I wanted it to be—the company that helps those who truly need it. You—must never give the Foundation to anyone—ever. I don't care if they offer a better deal—don't give the Utah Foundation up."

"I won't," Kiryuu replied. "I won't let the Utah Foundation go. I will honor your requests."

"You better not," Gordon said. "It's cheaper for the CEO to get his repairs done by his own company than to go somewhere else."

"I know," said Kiryuu. "Gordon…"

"Don't say anything right now, Kiryuu," Gordon sighed. "Are you—preparing to fight this dragon?"

"Yes," Kiryuu replied. "They are making the necessary adjustments, charging up the AZC, my weapons…"

"What about the maser cannons?" Gordon asked. "You gonna have them put back into your mouth?"

"I—don't need them anymore," Kiryuu said.

"You think you can pull off another plasma blast?" Gordon asked.

"Yes," Kiryuu nodded, his voice showing his certainty.

"Well, you did it once," Gordon sighed, shaking his head. "How—how would you know that you can do it again?"

"I—just do," Kiryuu replied. "I can't explain it."

"How—how do you produce it?" Gordon asked. "We never built you with that ability."

"I don't know that either," he replied. "It is illogical I know. But considering what all has happened, I'm beginning to accept the illogical."

"Finally got that paradox blocker installed, huh?" Gordon asked.

"My head won't explode when another one comes up, if that's what you mean," Kiryuu smiled back. "I found that dealing with humans, there would always be paradoxes. And I can't do anything to stop it. Might as well accept it then."

"Good answer," Gordon chuckled. "Kiryuu, be careful out there when you fight this Monster Zero. Seems like he's been a thorn in your side since the beginning, but don't let that cloud your judgment. I'm—counting on you. You have to make it to take over, you know."

"I will do all that I can," Kiryuu said. "But, about…"

"The PDA?" Gordon asked. "You'll be met with a surprise when you come back—that is if you come back."

"What is to become of me when they find out?"

"You will come to that bridge when it happens, Kiryuu," Gordon said. Kiryuu looked up at him, his eyes widening when he began to read what the message was behind that.

"Gordon…you—can't," Kiryuu began, kneeling down to him. "Gordon…"

"Now—you're worried," Gordon chuckled weakly. "No—I'm not ready to go—yet, but it is getting very close. I'm—72 years old, Kiryuu. I'm an old man. I'm way overdue for—retirement. And I just want to leave this company with—a good feeling inside knowing that—you will be taking good care of it. Now, leave me be. I need my rest and—you need to do your job. Give that damned dragon a good kick in the ass for ole Gordon, will you?"

"I will—Gordon," Kiryuu said. His body in the hangar bay had tears falling from its eyes.

"Good-bye, Kiryuu," he said as he closed his eyes. Gordon Knight turned away from Kiryuu and the hologram left the infirmary. Kiryuu leaned up against the door outside the infirmary and slid down slowly onto the floor, weeping. He leaned over, placing his head into his claws as he wept, wrapping his tail around his crossed legs.

"Mondai nan desu-ka, Kiryuu-san?" asked a small voice beside him. Kiryuu looked up and found Io Shinoda sitting beside him.

"Nanimo," Kiryuu replied, continuing in Japanese. "I'm just—worried."

"Why?" Io asked.

"I don't know why," he replied. "I wish I did."

Kiryuu looked up at her and she could tell there was a weight that was on his shoulders that he did not think he could bear. Io sat down beside him and glanced up at him.

"Is it about King Ghidorah?" she asked.

"Partially," Kiryuu replied.

"I know you'll defeat him, Kiryuu-san," said Io. "You have to. You have to come back to help me find my father."

"There are a lot of things I have to do from now on," Kiryuu said. "I just don't think I can do them all. But I—will try to find you father. That is if—I do come back."

"Don't say that, Kiryuu," said another voice. Kiryuu glanced up and saw Katsura standing beside Io. "You will come back."

"Katsura," Kiryuu began as he rose up onto his feet. "When I leave here, I want you to have that stopper in that port in your neck. To—protect you. If I don't make it…you won't—die."

"Kiryuu," Katsura began. "Don't say that. Please."

"Katsura," Kiryuu wrapped his arms around her, hearing her sob. "Go inside and attend to Gordon. I—I am very worried about him. He—needs someone to look after him while I'm gone."

Katsura glanced up and saw the look in his eyes.

I am very worried about him, Katsura, Kiryuu projected to her.

Gordon? She asked.

Keep an eye on him for me, he told her. Katsura leaned away, placing a hand on her mouth. Io came over to her and held out her hand. Katsura took it and lead her silently into the infirmary.

Kill that dragon, Kiryuu, he heard a very hateful tone coming from Katsura as she disappeared behind the door.

Kiryuu glanced up, seeing Maria duck back behind the corner. He rushed over to her only to find that she was walking down the corridor away from him.

"Maria!" Kiryuu called. "Maria!"

His form disappeared only to reappear again right in front of her.

"Maria!" Kiryuu called, grabbing her arms. "Why are you running from me?"

Maria turned around and attempted to punch him in the face. Kiryuu dodged and caught her fist before it made contact to his nose.

"Baboso!" Maria spat.

"What did I do this time, Maria?"

"You think you're gonna die," she said. "Is that it? You just gonna face King Ghidorah and let him kill you?"

"No!" Kiryuu bellowed. "That's—why are you thinking that?"

Maria struggled against his grip and turned around, trying to throw him over her shoulder.

"Maria!" Kiryuu called. "Maria! Stop it!"

Maria fought against his grip as he spun her around, crossing his arms and hers across her chest. Maria felt her body lower to the ground by Kiryuu's own force. He bent over her, holding her tightly with his arms. Will's new upgrades to the hologram were incredible. He was completely solid in hologram form. He could even feel Maria through the hologram. He could feel her struggle against him.

"Maria, please…" Kiryuu rumbled, trying to calm her down. "Please, don't do this. Let's not fight—before I have to go."

He leaned her down to the floor until she was lying flat on her stomach and he pinned her with his weight. Maria flipped herself over, fighting against Kiryuu once more.

"Let me go, pendejo," she growled at him. "I mean it! Let me go!"

"I'm not going to let him kill me," Kiryuu growled at her. "I—I just don't think I will survive the fight."

"Don't—don't ever think that," Maria looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Please. If you think you won't survive, then you won't. You have to optimistic. It's all in your head Kiryuu."

Kiryuu sighed and just nodded his head. He leaned down and kissed her passionately on the lips. His grip loosened and he felt her arms wrap around his neck. Maria was just enjoying it, running her hands through his dreads. She pulled away from him, turning her head slightly as he kissed just under her ear.

"Kiryuu," she began, her breath becoming labored as he kissed her. "If someone were to walk in on us—they might be getting the wrong idea as to what we've been doing."

"I'd say that they would have the right assumption, Maria," Kiryuu purred softly, kissing her neck again. He was rewarded with a moan from his partner and felt her grip him tighter. He growled, burying his face into her hair. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, Maria wanted Kiryuu to finish. But she knew that right now, he could not. Maria pulled him away from her and let the feeling subside.

"You're just gonna have to come back in one piece then so we can finish this later," Maria smiled at him. "Our little—personal victory celebration."

"Then, I shall do all that I can to make sure I do come back alive," he chuckled as he leaned up off of her. "So we can finish this."

"Where should we try this time?" she asked.

"The broom closet is one of my favorites, querida," Kiryuu replied with a sheepish smirk. "Nice and dark."

He got back onto his feet and took her by the hand, lifting her up off the floor. Maria straightened out her blouse and her hair. Kiryuu sighed for a moment when he sensed Will calling him through the bay.

"I have to go," he said. "Lo siento."

"Está bien, Kiryuu," Maria said. "Go fight that horrible monster. Kick his ass."

"Sure thing," Kiryuu chuckled. "Adios."

"Buena suerte," Maria called as she watched his image fade away. "Mi amor."

Kiryuu walked down the corridor. Though he could easily just jump form one projector to another, he felt like walking. Walking took time and that gave him time to think and collect his thoughts on the fight ahead. As he walked he glanced around at the building that had been his home since he had returned from Japan to fight Biollante. Biollante was keeping quiet right now, keeping to herself in the back of his CPU. Even she seemed worried about what will happen. Biollante seemed insistent that Kiryuu would only be for her to torment. She did not like the idea that someone else was playing with her personal toy. She did not like sharing.

After this is done, Biollante began, sensing that Kiryuu was thinking about her. Things will return to normal and you'll be my plaything again.

Like I would enjoy that…Kiryuu rolled his eyes.

You enjoy having Maria as your plaything right now, Biollante chuckled. You certainly enjoyed her just a few minutes ago. You almost lost yourself in the passionate moment between you two. Though, Katsura seemed to be taking it well…

What did I tell you about messing with me, Erika? Kiryuu asked.

Biollante sighed and became silent again, not really feeling like making her usual retort. She rolled her eyes and coiled up again back into the corner of his mind, placing her lengthy, alligator-like snout under her green claws.

Kiryuu growled and returned his thoughts to the fight. He walked down the hallway silently. Then, he paused for a moment, feeling the temperature inside the corridor drop. Something was strange to him. Though he could tell whether or not his hologram was grasping something, or something leaning against the hologram, he could still not register temperature changes. Something was making him feel this way. He heard the eerie howl of the wind blowing through the hall and he watched with eyes wide as the hall itself slowly began to ice over. Ice covered the surface of the walls and on the carpet floor. Icicles hung off of the ceiling and the florescent lights flickered as if they were about the fail.

Kiryuu! Called Biollante in his head as she got up from the corner she laid herself in. It's an illusion! King Ghidorah!

I see the guard dog is still at her post, chuckled a hollow, deep voice into Kiryuu's head.

Leave Kiryuu alone, Goldilocks, Biollante growled. He's mine. He belongs only to me and no one else!

Goldilocks…Kiryuu chuckled.

Found that funny, did you? King Ghidorah asked. Kiryuu suddenly felt a weight of cold crash down upon him and he knelt down, shivering. Every bit of his body was frozen from the nightmare that King Ghidorah was feeding his mind.

Stop it! Kiryuu cried. Stop it!

You heard him! Called Biollante.

Where are you, little Kiryuu? King Ghidorah asked, his voice gave off a mocking tone. Why have you not come to see me? Are you afraid of me? Godzilla is on his way, you know. Tennessee's own forces are trying frantically to defeat me. And I'm making my pace across the state. But I'm almost to Knoxville and you have yet to make your move. Come and see me Kiryuu. I wish to look upon the changes you have been through. I want to see you so much. Are you ignoring me?

"I am not ignoring you," Kiryuu breathed.

Don't think you can survive the fight? King Ghidorah asked. So, you've got cold feet.

Kiryuu tucked his claws under his armpits, mimicking one of the gestures a human would do when they were cold. It seemed comforting for him, though it was fruitless. This was all in his mind.

That's it! Called Biollante. It is all in your mind, Kiryuu. See through it. Let me help you.

Kiryuu concentrated, visualizing Biollante wrapping him up in her green tentacles. He felt her rub his face with her claw, calming him down. Kiryuu took in a virtual breath and closed his eyes.

Breathe, Kiryuu…

You two seem to be working perfectly now, King Ghidorah chuckled.

Back off, asshole! Biollante snapped. When Kiryuu gets to Knoxville, he is gonna mop the whole town with your face.

"For once I have to agree with her," Kiryuu said. "That is exactly what I will do. I want you off my planet, dragon. And I will make sure you'll never come back."

Then, come to me, King Ghidorah grinned. I shall enjoy our little visit.

Kiryuu opened his eyes again and he found that the ice was gone. The temperature he sensed had returned to normal and King Ghidorah's mind had separated from his.

He's gone, Kiryuu, Biollante informed. But I have to agree with him on your procrastination. The sooner you can get there, the sooner we can get this over with!

"Very well," Kiryuu nodded.

His hologram vanished and his mind returned to his body. Kiryuu opened up his eyes seeing that the last preparations to his weapons systems were already being made. Kiryuu glanced around for a moment. He lifted his claw up to his head and felt that the helm had been put upon his head.

"Will," he called. Will poked his head out from the control room.

"Yeah, pal?" he asked.

"Are you sure I should be wearing the helm?"

"Yeah," he said. "You never go into battle without it."

"It seems that every time I do, some monster always manages to rip it off," Kiryuu said. "It seems replacing the helm or repairing the helm when it's damaged is wasting valuable money the company needs."

"I guess you got a point there," Will said. "You're the boss, boss. If you don't want it, then it comes off. But those external relay cords have to be protected some how."

"They are made from G-Cells, Will," Kiryuu replied. "They can be regenerated when damaged."

"I guess you're right," Will said. "This—will be the first time that Mechagodzilla has ever gone into battle without the helm."

Kiryuu reached up and unsnapped the helm from his face. He shook his green dreads free and smiled back at Will. He glanced back at the longer dread cords that sprouted from the base of his head and neck. They attached themselves securely to the auxiliary rockets pack that was slung over his back and shoulders. The other cords of his green dreads fed their way through his armor and attached themselves to the forearm cannons main control ports. He was fully linked with his external weapons.

"The AZC is all charged and ready," said Will. "Boosters are ready, as well as the gravity generators."

"Remind me to send another big check to DaimlerChrysler for the new upgraded grav generators they sent us," said Kiryuu. "Their technicians have told me that these should allow me to jump even farther and increase my ground speed than the old ones."

"I hope so," said Will. "We've ran the tests on them, but we really never tested them fully out on the field. Those old generators just didn't have the power. Sure, they were great for their time, but they were due for an overhaul. Where's Maria and Katsura?"

"With Gordon," said Kiryuu. "It's alright, we don't need them."

"It just feels like not a real launch without Gordon barking 'launch'," Will sighed.

"Well, I do have his voice," Kiryuu chuckled. "So—launch!"

"Eh, doesn't have the same impact," Will said as he thought about the voice.

"Will!" Kiryuu bellowed. "Let's go."

"Oh!" said Will. "Sorry. Launching."

Kiryuu glanced up as the body arms leaned away from his form and the bay doors opened up at the top. The lift carried him up to the 'parking lot' above. Kiryuu glanced around as he was fully lifted up out of the bay area.

"Good look, Mr. Knight," Kiryuu heard Will's voice through the comlink. "Bring me back one of those Smoky the Coonhound UT mascot—stuffed animals when you come back."

"I didn't know you were a Vol fan," Kiryuu said.

"Only when they're not playing Florida," Will chuckled. He heard Kiryuu's deep, melodic voice laugh through the speakers. Kiryuu revved up the gravity generators and leapt up into the air. He fired the boosters and streaked through the sky, connecting with the Shirisagi to make the long-range flight to Tennessee.